Speakers:
Ukiah Busch, Vice President, Development, SEPA
Sean Gallagher, Senior Vice President, Policy, SEIA

Join this session to explore how state leaders effectively navigate the evaluation and deployment of emerging technologies while prioritizing resilience. In a region highly susceptible to climate change and associated environmental challenges like Florida, discover the models employed by these leaders to assess risks.

Moderator:
Stephen Kalland, Executive Director, NC Clean Energy Center

Panelists:
Thad Cully, Director of Public Policy, Sunrun
Justin Kramer, Manager, Emerging Technologies, Orlando Utilities Commission
Tanya Sessions, VP, Business Development for Grid Power, Origis

Sponsored by

Addressing infrastructure considerations will be critical to promoting the growth of EVs and energy storage systems in Florida and ensuring that they can contribute to the reliability and resilience of the state’s energy system. By making targeted investments in charging infrastructure, grid integration, interconnection, and cybersecurity, Florida can position itself as a leader in the transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy system. Participants will discuss infrastructure cost, utility and regulatory approach, research and best practices, and more.

Moderator:
Jennifer Szaro, President and CEO, Association of Energy Services Professionals; Chair, Drive Electric Florida

Panelists:
Brittany Blair, Senior Analyst, Research & Industry Strategy, SEPA
Joshua Dorfman, President, American Wire Group

Join us as renewable energy leaders and software providers in the Florida market discuss the transformative technologies of DERMS (Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems) and VPPs (Virtual Power Plants). This innovative session breaks up the typical panel format with a series of intersecting fireside-chat style interview questions to equip you with critical perspective about these exciting technologies.

Moderator:
Trevor Gibson, Analyst, Research & Industry Strategy, SEPA

Panelists:
Sam Choi, Director of Strategy & Planning, Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC)
Sterling Clifford, Manager, Government Affairs, Sunnova Energy
Rishabh Mallick, Utility Account Executive, Energyhub

The importance of political spending in clean energy politics in Florida reflects the critical role that policy and regulation play in shaping the energy landscape in the state. By investing in political campaigns and lobbying efforts, clean energy advocates and industry groups can help to shape the policy and regulatory environment in a way that supports the growth of renewable energy and energy efficiency, and positions Florida as a leader in the transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy system. Hear from representatives from the national and state focused solar energy industries associations on the work being done to assure a clean energy future in Florida. After grabbing lunch, please join us to learn about this important topic.

Moderator:
Caitlin Vincent, Sr. Manager, Southeast Region, SEIA

Panelists:
Sterling Clifford, Senior Manager, Government Affairs, Sunnova Energy
Wendy Parker, Executive Director, FlaSEIA

The solar permitting process in Florida can be inconsistent and time-consuming, with significant variation from county to county. This can create challenges for solar project developers and increase the cost and time required to install solar energy systems. To address these challenges, a number of initiatives have been launched in recent years to streamline and simplify the solar permitting process in Florida. One such initiative is the Solar Automated Permitting Process (SolarAPP), which is a national program designed to standardize and automate the solar permitting process across the country. In addition to SolarAPP, many local governments in Florida have established sustainability offices or other programs to support the development of solar energy systems and streamline the permitting process. During this session, panelists will discuss the current issues and solutions in solar permitting in Florida and the use of SolarAPP.

Moderators:
Wendy Parker Barsell, Executive Director, FLSEIA

Panelists:
Matthew Agostini, Electrical Division Director, Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources
Ben Millar, SolarApp Committee Chair, FLSEIA

Featuring technical talks on hot topics in clean energy including …

• Modeling and Simulation Based Testing and De-Risking for Successful DER Integration
• U.S. Floating Solar Manufacturing Innovations for Improved Cost and Performance
• Weathering the Storm with Clean, Resilient Power: A Stand-Out Story Comparing Two Sides of a Residential Neighborhood During Hurricane Ian
• Molten Salt Storage Technology for Long-Duration Storage Resources in Florida

Moderator:
Janne Knieke, Analyst, Research & Industry Strategy, SEPA

Panelists:
Phil Delleville, Managing Director, Malta, Inc.
Omar Faruque, Associate Professor and Department Graduate Director, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Florida State University (FSU)
Gary Oppedahl, VP Emerging Technologies, Block Energy
Rick Meeker, President, Nhu Energy

2:05-2:25: TechTalk: Advances in Modeling and Simulation Based Testing and De-Risking for Successful DER Integration

Discover the cutting-edge simulation tool developed by Florida State University (FSU) that surpasses real-time capabilities. This tool revolutionizes the demonstration and testing of integrating distributed energy resources (DERs) into the power grid, emphasizing the enhancement of grid resilience. Through realistic simulations, the tool enables comprehensive assessments of DER behavior in diverse scenarios, including extreme weather events and cyber-attacks. By gaining a deeper understanding of DER performance under varying conditions, utilities and grid operators can seamlessly integrate these resources and elevate overall grid performance. Join us to explore the potential of this transformative tool and its impact on grid optimization. 

Moderator:
Janne Knieke, Analyst, Research & Industry Strategy, SEPA

Panelists:
Omar Faruque, Associate Professor and Department Graduate Director, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Florida State University (FSU)
Rick Meeker, President, Nhu Energy

2:25 pm – 2:30 pm: TechTalk: U.S. Floating Solar Manufacturing Innovations for Improved Cost and Performance 

Floating PV can play a significant role in meeting de-carbonization goals but there are relatively few installations and no major manufacturers in the U.S. By 2020 there was over 2.6 GW of floating solar installed globally, an increase of 160% over 2018. This session will share an update on a new project in Florida, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and members of the clean energy industry, to create a U.S.-based floating solar manufacturing presence, with innovations in technology design and manufacturing processes allowing hundreds of MW of U.S.-based capacity. 

Panelist:
Rick Meeker, President, Nhu Energy

2:30 pm – 2:50 pm: TechTalk: Weathering the Storm with Clean, Resilient Power: A Stand-Out Story Comparing Two Sides of a Residential Neighborhood During Hurricane Ian 

This local case study presentation will describe how a microgrid system performed during a Hurricane in a coastal community in Florida. Presenters will explain the system and describe the business opportunities of resilience programs.

Moderator:
Janne Knieke, Analyst, Research & Industry Strategy, SEPA

Panelist:
Gary Oppedahl, VP Emerging Technologies, Block Energy

2:50 – 3:10 pm: TechTalk: Molten Salt Storage Technology for Long-Duration Storage Resources in Florida 

Molten salt storage technology is not currently widely used in Florida. However, the state’s abundant sunshine and growing renewable energy industry make it a potentially promising market for the technology in the future. One potential application for molten salt storage in Florida is to support the deployment of concentrated solar power (CSP) plants, which use mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight onto a receiver to heat a working fluid and generate electricity. Molten salt storage can be used to store excess thermal energy generated by the CSP plant during the day, which can then be dispatched to the grid as needed during periods of high electricity demand. In addition, the use of molten salt storage could help to reduce the intermittency and variability of renewable energy sources in Florida, which can pose challenges for grid operators. By providing a flexible and reliable energy storage solution, molten salt storage could help to smooth out fluctuations in renewable energy production and ensure a more stable and resilient energy system for the state. 

Moderator:
Janne Knieke, Analyst, Research & Industry Strategy, SEPA

Panelist:
Phil Delleville, Managing Director, Malta Inc.

Sponsored by

Join us as we delve into an innovative approach to Request for Proposals (RFPs) by JEA. Unlike traditional RFPs focused on Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) or Build Transfer Assets (BTAs) where developers acquire land independently, JEA’s RFP offers developers the opportunity to bid on building projects specifically on JEA-owned land. This session will feature JEA (Jacksonville Electric Authority) and TEA (The Energy Authority) as they discuss the inception of this idea, how it compares to other RFPs, lessons learned throughout the process, and their recommendation for other utilities, municipalities, and cooperatives considering a similar approach. Gain valuable insights and learn from their experiences to discover the untapped potential of developing on utility-owned land. 

Speaker:
Alex Wong, Portfolio Manager, Renewables, The Electric Authority  

In the race towards electrification, Florida will need to consider how best to accelerate customer adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs), while employing innovative programs such as virtual power, community solar, and other solutions that will help load meet changing demand. In this session, experts will address a number of considerations such as industry best practices for customer education, program design, regulatory/policy intervention, and other insights from across the country that will help guide the industry forward.

Moderator:
Chris Diaz, Co-CEO, Seminole Financial Services

Panelists:
Sean Gallagher, Senior VP Policy, SEIA
Steve Kalland, Executive Director, NC Clean Energy Technology Center
Jen Szaro, President and CEO, Association of Energy Services Professionals

Open to all attendees!

The leveraged value of microgrids comes when they are interconnected into mini-grid-like networks. Adding shared local resources and a final connection to the bulk grid makes the perfect solution to issues of power surety, resiliency and lowest cost. Come discuss the future of the grid edge and the challenges and opportunities that it faces.

Speakers:
Brian Patterson, Founder & Chairman, EMerge Alliance
Gary Oppedahl, VP Emerging Technologies, Block Energy

Clean energy development in Puerto Rico offers several opportunities that can benefit the island’s economy, environment, and energy security. This session will provide an update on the solar and storage market in Puerto Rico and explore the opportunities and challenges for further development. 

Moderator:
Marc Lopata, President, Solar Island Energy

Panelists:
Patrick Gilmartin, Investment Professional, EDPR
Michael Juarbe, Head of Puerto Rico & the Caribbean, Sunnova Energy
Naomi K. Betancourt, Asset Manager, Infinigen Renewables

This session showcases a real-world example of how microgrid technology has been harnessed to address the energy challenges in the region. Learn from experts in the field who will share insights on the impact of microgrids, shedding light on the transformative role they play in ensuring a reliable and resilient energy infrastructure.

Presented by:
Brian Patterson, Founder & Chairman, EMerge Alliance

Renewable Strategies for Business Growth 

Location: Expo Hall Theater

How does your company find new clients and customers? What tactics and strategies do you use to gain more market share and brand exposure? RE+ Small Business Institute presents Rob Striar, CEO of M Style Marketing to discuss how your business expands and markets with topics such as: understanding your target market, best marketing practices for sales teams, building a brand (social media, marketing elements), and how to use trade shows to market your business.

 This content is available to all registered attendees.

Speaker:
Rob Striar, CEO, MStyle Marketing

Hear from regional energy leaders and microgrid experts financial modeling for tropical PV microgrids and building for hurricane survivability.  

Moderator:
Marc Lopata, President, Solar Island Energy  

Panelists: 
Brian Patterson, Chairman of the Board, EMerge Alliance  
Gary Oppedahl, VP Emerging Technologies, Block Energy